Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology

Research Activities of the Department of Primary Education (2025)

The research activities of the Department of Primary Education at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University are carried out in accordance with the priorities of the state scientific and educational policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the strategic development goals of the University. The Department’s research agenda is aimed at advancing pedagogical science, modernizing teacher education content, and implementing scientifically grounded innovations in primary education practice.

In 2025, 100% of the academic staff (13 faculty members) of the Department were involved in research activities. Of these, 40% of the faculty participated in externally funded and intramural research projects, while 60% conducted individual research within the framework of the Department’s research theme and supervised the research activities of undergraduate students, master’s students, and doctoral candidates.

Main Research Areas

The Department’s research is conducted within the framework of the comprehensive research theme “Training Future Primary Education Teachers for the School of the New Generation” and covers the following priority areas:

· neurodidactics and the development of intellectual abilities of primary school students;

· modern pedagogical technologies and digital transformation of education;

· dual education system and professional training of future teachers;

· STEM education and the development of functional, mathematical, and reading literacy;

· development of soft skills, critical thinking, and media literacy;

· inclusive and multilingual education;

· research activities of learners.

Research Projects and Grant Activities

In 2025, the Department of Primary Education implemented state-funded and intramural research projects focused on addressing актуальные pedagogical challenges, developing innovative educational technologies, and improving the quality of teacher training.

Projects Funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan

In 2025, the academic staff of the Department participated in the implementation of two research projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The key project of the Department is the state-funded research project: IRN AP19680117 “Development of Neurodidactic Content Aimed at Enhancing the Intelligence of Primary School Students” (implementation period: 2023–2025, funding source: Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan).

The Project Leader is Zh.A. Zhumabayeva, PhD, Associate Professor. The research team includes A.S. Stambekova, S.A. Nurgaliyeva, R.Zh. Bazarbekova (leading researchers), A.N. Umirbekova, PhD (project researcher, postdoctoral fellow), and Sh.B. Kalbergenova (senior researcher).

The project is implemented within the priority area of modern primary education development and is focused on integrating neurodidactic approaches into educational practice.

In addition, in 2025, a faculty member of the Department participated in an external state-funded research project: IRN AP19678345 “Developing the Creative Abilities of Future Primary School Teachers

through Research Competencies”, in which A.T. Tynyskhanova serves as a junior researcher. The Grant Holder is Zhetysu University named after Ilyas Zhansugurov, and the implementation period is 03 August 2023 – 31 December 2025.

Intramural Research Projects of Abai KazNPU

In 2025, the Department implemented three intramural research projects funded by Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University (Order No. 05-04/250 dated 03 April 2025), with a total funding volume of 17,000,000 KZT.

The implemented projects include:

· “A Conceptual Study of Ethical Risks in the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Secondary Education”, Project Leader — A.Kh. Arenova, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor; Researcher — A. Zhunusbekova, PhD;

· “Professional Collaboration among Learners as a New Format for Knowledge Exchange and Research in the University Environment”, Project Leader — R.Zh. Bazarbekova; Researcher — Azhar Amangeldikyzy;

· “A Study of the Emotional and Motivational Impact of Using Artificial Neural Networks on the Development of Linguistic Competencies of Future Primary School Teachers”, Project Leader — A.T. Turalbayeva; Researcher — A.D. Kariyev.

Integration of Research Results into the Educational Process

In 2025, the results of the Department’s research activities were systematically integrated into undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral educational programs, including the updated program 6B01308 “Primary Education (IP)”.

Research outputs are embedded in the content of professional cycle disciplines aimed at developing research, digital, and methodological competencies of future teachers, and are also applied in pedagogical practice and dual education models.

Publication Activity

In 2025, the academic staff of the Department published:

· 12 research publications in journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science;

· 9 publications in high-ranking Q1–Q2 journals;

· 24 articles in journals recommended by the Committee for Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

· 1 monograph;

· 4 teaching and methodological manuals for higher education institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

International Cooperation

In 2025, the Department engaged in international scientific and academic cooperation with foreign universities and research organizations. Lectures, seminars, workshops, and research consultations were organized with the participation of international scholars and experts from the USA, France, and Turkey. Participation of students and faculty in international scientific events and research internships was also ensured.

Research Activities of Students

Under the academic supervision of the Department’s faculty in 2025:

· 43 students became winners and prize-holders of international research competitions;

· 19 students won national-level research competitions;

· 3 PhD doctoral candidates and more than 30 master’s students successfully defended their theses;

· 66 master’s students and 4 doctoral candidates participated in international research internships.